The early bird catches the crab! In this case our early bird was Todd of Inception, who awoke in Culpepper Lagoon to find a bunch of crabs in his crab pot! Todd pulled up the 12 eatin’ sized crabs and handed them off just as the fleet was getting under way for Bishop Bay. Deception’s crew cleaned and cooked the crab on the back deck while cruising.  Along our route, the fleet stopped to admire Butedale waterfall, name after the adjacent, and now defunct, cannery town of Butedale. It was an easy, scenic 28 miles to Bishop Bay where the fleet rafted for the night.

Once rafted, Todd and Judy had everyone over for a crab cookout! We had a blast. Robin brought a delightful brussels sprout salad, while Noel provided the chips and guacamole. Most importantly, Todd and Judy had plenty of butter and old bay seasoning on hand. Everyone swapped advice and favorite techniques for cleaning crab, and quickly the fleet produced a mountain of succulent crab meat to enjoy. After dinner, crews hopped in their dinghies, and after a short ride and an even shorter walk, arrived at Bishop Bay hot springs. The two deliciously warm pools are enclosed by a wood building and boardwalk, maintained by local volunteers.  Years of buoys and floats, inscribed with boat names and love notes from bygone visitors, hang from the rafters above the pools. From the warmth of the pools we watched the moon rise over Bishops Bay and the end of another wonderful day.